Using S-band dual polarized radar for convective/stratiform rain indexing and the correspondence with AMSR-E GSFC profiling algorithm

The separation of rain types in convective and stratiform regimes has long been a goal in microwave remote sensing of precipitation research. In this essence, a dual polarized radar based indexing scheme that provides information on convective and stratiform (C/S) rain regimes has been presented in correspondence with advanced microwave scanning radiometer – earth observing system (AMSR-E) GSFC profiling algorithm estimate of convective rain percentage. The dual polarized radar based C/S indexing scheme first retrieves the normalized gamma drop size distribution parameters, median volume drop diameter (D0) and concentration parameter (Nw), from dual polarized radar measurements ZH and ZDR, representing reflectivity and differential reflectivity respectively, by means of the genetic programming approach. Next, the C/S rain index is calculated based on the formulation of an empirical relation in Nw–D0 domain. The scheme has been inspected and applied on measurements from the S-band Chilbolton dual polarized radar. A considerable number of “coincident” cases from the radar and the AMSR-E observations are investigated. It has been revealed that the dual polarized radar based C/S rain indexing is in a similar pattern with the AMSR-E GSFC profiling algorithm estimate of convective rain percentage. Generally, as C/S rain index value increases, which signifies a stratiform to convective trend, the AMSR-E convective rain percentage also increases.

► Dual polarized radar based convective/stratiform (C/S) rain indexing scheme is presented.
► The indexing scheme is applied on S-band Chilbolton dual polarized radar PPI scans.
► The radar based C/S rain indexing is investigated in correspondence with AMSR-E GPROF algorithm.
► There is a good correspondence of radar based C/S rain indexing to AMSR-E convective rain percentage.
► Radar based C/S rain index increases with respect to the increase of AMSR-E convective rain percentage.